Handelsbanken Fonder AB Grows Stock Holdings in MSA Safety Incorporated (NYSE:MSA)

Handelsbanken Fonder AB lifted its holdings in MSA Safety Incorporated (NYSE:MSA - Free Report) by 9.6% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 227,344 shares of the industrial products company's stock after purchasing an additional 20,000 shares during the quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB owned 0.58% of MSA Safety worth $38,382,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. Contravisory Investment Management Inc. acquired a new stake in MSA Safety during the fourth quarter worth approximately $25,000. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC acquired a new position in MSA Safety during the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Global Retirement Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of MSA Safety in the 4th quarter valued at $46,000. Fifth Third Bancorp increased its stake in shares of MSA Safety by 28.2% in the fourth quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 336 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $57,000 after buying an additional 74 shares during the period. Finally, McGlone Suttner Wealth Management Inc. bought a new stake in MSA Safety in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $61,000. 92.51% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

MSA Safety Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE MSA traded up $2.53 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $187.92. The company had a trading volume of 82,474 shares, compared to its average volume of 138,001. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $185.75 and its 200-day moving average price is $171.80. The company has a current ratio of 2.36, a quick ratio of 1.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60. MSA Safety Incorporated has a 1 year low of $122.57 and a 1 year high of $196.02. The company has a market capitalization of $7.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 129.60 and a beta of 1.01.

MSA Safety (NYSE:MSA - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 14th. The industrial products company reported $2.06 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.88 by $0.18. MSA Safety had a return on equity of 32.44% and a net margin of 3.28%. The firm had revenue of $495.00 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $467.52 million. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.80 EPS. The company's revenue was up 11.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that MSA Safety Incorporated will post 7.73 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity

In other news, CAO Jonathan D. Buck sold 305 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $185.50, for a total value of $56,577.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 3,506 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $650,363. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, Director Rebecca B. Roberts sold 1,100 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $181.84, for a total value of $200,024.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 8,474 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,540,912.16. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, CAO Jonathan D. Buck sold 305 shares of MSA Safety stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $185.50, for a total value of $56,577.50. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 3,506 shares in the company, valued at $650,363. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 5,504 shares of company stock valued at $1,017,991. Insiders own 6.20% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, StockNews.com raised MSA Safety from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, February 23rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $189.50.

About MSA Safety

MSA Safety Incorporated develops, manufactures, and supplies safety products and technology solutions that protect people and facility infrastructures in the fire service, energy, utility, construction, and industrial manufacturing applications, as well as heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration industries worldwide.